We are arriving in Rome on Apr 23rd. Does anyone know when the Sistine Chapel will reopen following the Conclave?

info so far is, 3 days following the election

Your only hope is that they vote and decide on a Pope in the first couple of days. It is possible. We're going in June with people who have never seen the Sistine Chapel and I hoping that the vote and ceremony will be all over by then.

Ann1, I think you should be okay. But redc, the odds are against an election that quick.

I heard on the radio this morning that no conclave in the 20th century took more than 5 days so you might be OK - you don't say how long you are staying.

We will be there thru the morning of the 26th. Here's hoping!!!

I'll be in Rome April 26 through April 29. It's my third trip to Rome and I have yet to see the Sistine Chapel, so I'm hoping the Cardinals are able to work quickly. We have booked a tour on the 28th.

You should most likely be OK then, I think - good luck !

While it's true that no Conclave in the 20th century exceeded 5 days, it is also true that no Pope in the 20th century sat on the Papal Throne for 26+ years. Pope John Paul the Great is going to be one heck of a hard act to follow, and I'll be shocked if it takes fewer than 5 days for the College of Cardinals to come up with a winning round of "Name that (new) Pope"!!

BC